AI Departments Proliferate, but Curricula Remain a Work in Progress

KAIST and DGIST Expand AI Education Initiatives
Consensus on Nurturing AI Talent, But Concrete Plans Still Lacking

From departments of AI, AI convergence programs, and AI graduate schools, to the establishment of entire AI colleges—competition to become a leading name in AI is intensifying at Korean universities, following similar trends in the United States and China. However, there are growing concerns that universities are struggling to establish a clear direction for AI education and develop effective curricula.

According to the education and science community on June 10, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) is moving forward with the establishment of an AI college, while Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) is preparing to launch an undergraduate AI department. Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) and Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) already operate AI graduate schools, and other universities are also accelerating the creation of AI-related departments.

Kwanghyung Lee, President of KAIST, told The Asia Business Daily, "Just as computer engineering branched out from electronic engineering and mathematics in the late 20th century, the expansion of the AI field makes the establishment of new AI colleges and departments a natural progression. Since AI encompasses a wide range of areas—including algorithms, computing, semiconductors, security, automation, and business—an integrated approach to education and research is needed."

He added, "Because AI is a technology that will bring about a civilizational shift for humanity, we must also conduct research on humanity, ethics, humanism, and AI control technologies. The KAIST AI College aims to foster well-rounded talent across computing, AI semiconductors, AI applications, and philosophy."

The government also sees the need for university innovation to nurture AI talent. Lee Joonbae, Director of Future Talent Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "Nurturing AI talent cannot be solved simply by changing department names. We need an educational system that covers everything from basic technologies to industrial convergence, as well as educational innovation that reflects the changes in AI and the industrial field."

Kwanghyung Lee, President of KAIST. Photo by KAIST

The competition over AI branding is already active in the United States and China, which are leading countries in the AI industry. In 2018, China's Ministry of Education officially approved AI as an undergraduate major and has since expanded related departments. For example, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology operates an AI major and also offers a 'Meteorology + Information Technology' integrated education model that combines atmospheric science with information technology. Leading U.S. universities are also expanding AI education. However, recently, there has been a shift from establishing separate AI departments toward integrating AI into existing curricula.

In Korea, however, while AI-related departments are rapidly increasing, there is a lack of clear vision regarding what should be taught and what kinds of talent should be developed. There are also concerns that there has not been sufficient discussion about how these departments differ from traditional computer engineering or software departments, or what specific competencies graduates will possess.

In fact, DGIST plans to establish an AI college by 2027 and launch three new departments—Physical AI, Medical AI, and xAI—while beginning to recruit undergraduate students. However, the curriculum has not yet been finalized. When asked about the AI department curriculum, a DGIST representative said, "Nothing has been concretely decided yet. We will work to develop a robust program going forward."

Experts agree that having clear educational objectives and differentiated curricula is more important than simply increasing the number of AI departments. Hyunkyung Lee, Associate Research Fellow at the Human Resources Strategy Center of the Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP), said, "While establishing new AI departments is positive in that it can quickly train both specialists and interdisciplinary talent, it is not easy to promptly reflect rapidly changing AI technologies and industry demands in university education."

She emphasized, "In order for AI departments to develop a distinctive identity, they must go beyond teaching simple applications and foster the ability to design and advance AI itself. A systematic curriculum is needed, one that includes AI ethics, policy, and legal education."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.